Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth (known by its ICAO code KNFW) is a site of major historical “firsts.” While it’s a Navy base today, its soul is deeply rooted in the golden age of American heavy bombers.
Here is a brief history of the base:
1. The Bomber Origins (1941–1948)
The base began in 1941 as Tarrant Field Airdrome, built specifically to support the adjacent Consolidated Vultee aircraft factory (now Lockheed Martin).
- The Mission: After Pearl Harbor, it became Fort Worth Army Air Field, serving as a massive training ground for B-24 Liberator and B-29 Superfortress crews.
- The Factory: The mile-long factory next door began churning out the bombers that would win the war, establishing the “Fort Worth/Lockheed” partnership that still exists today.
2. The Carswell Era (1948–1993)
In 1948, the base was renamed Carswell Air Force Base to honor Major Horace S. Carswell Jr., a Fort Worth native and Medal of Honor recipient.
- Strategic Air Command (SAC): For decades, Carswell was a frontline nuclear deterrent hub. It was home to the massive B-36 Peacemaker and later the B-52 Stratofortress.
- Hollywood Fame: The base was so iconic that the 1955 Jimmy Stewart film Strategic Air Command was filmed on-site, featuring the legendary B-36.
- Global Reach: In 1949, the Lucky Lady II took off from Carswell to complete the first-ever non-stop flight around the world.
3. The Shift to “Jointness” (1994–Present)
As the Cold War ended, the 1991 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) commission slated Carswell for closure. However, the military saw an opportunity for a new experiment.
- A National First: On October 1, 1994, the facility reopened as NAS JRB Fort Worth, the first Joint Reserve Base in U.S. history.
- Consolidation: The Navy moved its operations from the old NAS Dallas to this site, bringing together Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Army Reserve units under one command.
- Modern Day: Today, the base is a bustling hub for F-35s, C-130s, and F/A-18s. Because it shares runways with Lockheed Martin, it is also the primary test site for every F-35 Lightning II that rolls off the assembly line.
457th FS “Spads”
- WWII Beginnings: Activated in 1944, the squadron originally flew P-51 Mustangs. They were famous for performing very long-range escort missions for B-29 bombers over Japan, operating out of Iwo Jima.
- The “Spads” Identity: Their nickname is a nod to the SPAD S.XIII, a rugged French biplane from WWI. It reflects the squadron’s “old school” grit and dedication to the fighter pilot’s craft.
- The Viper Era: For over 30 years, the 457th was synonymous with the F-16 Fighting Falcon (the “Viper”). They deployed frequently for combat operations, including Operation Desert Shield, Desert Storm, and more recently, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
The Modern Transition
The 457th is currently making history again as it transitions from the F-16 to the F-35A Lightning II. This move makes the 301st Fighter Wing the first Air Force Reserve unit to be federally funded to own and operate the F-35A
VMFA-112 Cowboys
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 112 (VMFA-112), known as the “Cowboys,” is a United States Marine Corps Reserve squadron based at NAS JRB Fort Worth. They are a heavy-hitting unit with one of the most storied combat records in Marine Corps aviation history.
1. WWII: The “Wolfpack” Legacy
- The Cactus Air Force: Originally called the “Wolfpack,” the squadron was activated in 1942 and famously operated from Henderson Field during the Battle of Guadalcanal.
- Medal of Honor: Squadron pilot Jefferson J. DeBlanc earned the Medal of Honor for downing five Japanese aircraft in a single mission on January 31, 1943.
- Top Tier: By the end of WWII, the squadron was credited with 140 air-to-air kills, ranking it third among all Marine Corps squadrons for enemy aircraft destroyed.
2. The Move to Texas & Transition to “Cowboys”
- Dallas Roots: After WWII, the squadron was reactivated as a reserve unit at the old NAS Dallas. It was during this long residency in North Texas that they adopted the “Cowboys” nickname and their iconic “MA” tail code.
- The Jet Age: They flew several legendary airframes over the decades, including the F-8 Crusader and the F-4 Phantom II. Notably, they were the last squadron in the entire Naval service to fly the F-4S Phantom before retiring it in 1992.
3. Current Status & Future (2026)
- The Hornet Era: Since 1992, the Cowboys have flown the F/A-18 Hornet (currently the C and D models). They remain a high-readiness unit, recently participating in major joint exercises like Forager Fury and supporting tactical air control parties (TACP) as recently as late 2025.
- Commemorative Beauty: To celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the Marine Corps in 2025, the squadron unveiled a special high-visibility “storyboard” paint scheme on one of their F/A-18D Hornets, featuring the Iwo Jima flag raising on the tails.
- The Next Leap: Under the Marine Corps Force Design 2030 plan, VMFA-112 is slated to begin transitioning to the F-35C Lightning II (the carrier-capable variant) by the end of the decade, ensuring the “Cowboys” stay at the front of the pack.
Article by Dave Chng